Vocal Point Archives - BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications

Virtual Choir and Orchestra Performers Join Vocal Point for Inspiring New Video

Chris Hayes — Fri, 11 Sep 2020 17:26:53 +0000

Video Compilation of “Nearer, My God, to Thee” Breaks New Ground in Virtual Performance One of the many shared disappointments of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the cancellation of in-person musical events. We miss the swell of sound filling a concert hall, the intimacy between audience members and performers. To help fill this void, musician and composer James Stevens has released a new video in partnership with BYU’s nine-man a cappella group Vocal Point. The video, “Nearer, My God, to Thee” is a 3D virtual experience that aims to replicate the feeling of a live performance. It is an undertaking of unusual size and scope, involving more than 800 musicians from all across the world. The piece is based on Stevens’ popular arrangement of the hymn for a cappella choir, which was first made available online for free in 2007. The sheet music has since been downloaded in more than 130 countries. “The arrangement is arguably one of the most recognizable pieces written by a BYU graduate,” said BYU record and music video producer Ben Fales. “James is an amazing talent and he’s always such a pleasure to work with.” Stevens’ musical background made him uniquely suited for his role in compiling the video. He sang with Vocal Point for two years while majoring in media music (now commercial music) at BYU. He then served as director of the group from 2004 to 2012. “My fondest memories of my experience at BYU as a student and as the director of Vocal Point are always centered around creation and working with other passionate musicians,” Stevens said. “I like to study and learn, but I especially like putting what I’ve learned to the test by turning it into action, by creating something out of nothing, something that’s never existed before — or at least something we’ve never experienced before.” The initial genesis of the project began in 2018 when Kayson Brown, director of the Lyceum Philharmonic, reached out to ask if Stevens would consider adapting his arrangement of “Nearer, My God, To Thee” for the orchestra’s upcoming concert with Vocal Point. “I agreed, and it was well received by the audience,” Stevens said. “We knew that someday that version of the song needed to be recorded and shared. Then, as the world closed its doors to concerts and live events, and as virtual projects started popping up, I couldn’t help but think of all the thousands of talented people who had performed this arrangement over the past 13 years. I thought it would be a super inspiring virtual collaboration to have people from all over the world share this hopeful message at this time. I had no idea what to expect, but Ben Fales at BYU Music Group and McKay Crockett with BYU Vocal Point seconded the motion and we got the project rolling.” In April 2020, BYU Music Group and Vocal Point put out a call for participants through social media and email, inviting participation from vocalists and instrumentalists of all ages and levels of experience. Musicians were provided with links to videos that they could play or sing along to. Stevens also incorporated recordings from members of Vocal Point to anchor the project. As submissions began pouring in, the huge undertaking became a study in patience, innovation and inspiration. “It was so fun and humbling to preview the videos, to hear the passion in their voices and the incredible skills of the instrumentalists,” Stevens said. “This isn’t a simple song, and everyone did so well while jumping through major hoops during this time to make it happen, breaking through language barriers, some obviously having very little resources to even make a video and yet they still found a way.” Stevens also found hope in the love of music shared by so many. “The variety of people that participated makes my heart happy and gives me the sense that we are more alike than we are different in the world. I just hope that the people who see and hear this project will feel that deep sense of urgency that I feel each of the performers exhibited in their videos to draw nearer to God and find hope in knowing that ‘God helping, nothing should be feared forever.’” One distinctive facet of the arrangement is the inclusion of Latin phrases, which translate as follows: In articulo mortis/At the moment of death Caelitus mihi vires/My Strength is from heaven Deo adjuvante non timendum In perpetuum/God helping, nothing should be feared forever Dirige nos domine/Direct us, O Lord Ad augusta per angusta/To high places by narrow roads Sic itur ad astra/Such is the path to the stars Excelsior/Ever upward Now that the video is completed, Stevens has turned his attention to other projects. He recently released a new video in response to the struggles that so many have faced in recent months, including mental health issues, illness, racial injustice and joblessness. “It was just so heartbreaking to see so many people suffering in all the different ways and so unable to find peace,” he said. “So I felt inspired to create an arrangement of ‘Where Can I Turn For Peace?,’ and this is what came from it.” He and his family are also in the process of starting an entertainment company, hoping it will help them “fulfill our dreams of creating and sharing music, as well as helping others to do the same while maintaining a balance of what really matters in life.” In the end, the video project served as a source of inspiration and positivity for the participants, and Stevens hopes that positivity will extend to all those who view it. “My greatest hope for this project is that it helps people feel a real closeness to God in these uncertain times,” he said. “Over the years I’ve gotten the sense that this arrangement reaches people deeply because it speaks to the struggle to find God in trying times. It’s about having fierce faith even though the storm is raging around you; it’s about trusting that even if the world around you crumbles, you know that He is there and that in the end it will be okay.” Find James Stevens on social media: Facebook: facebook.com/imjstevens Instagram: @james_stevens_1 Family band on Facebook: facebook.com/aberdeenlanemusic Family band on Instagram: @aberdeen_lane Watch the original a cappella performance of “Nearer, My God, [...]

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BYU Music Alum McKay Crockett Speaks on His Experiences with Music, Vocal Point

Brendan Gwynn — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 16:55:56 +0000

Crockett is the current director of the BYU a capella group Vocal Point and was recently featured in BYU Magazine’s “A Thing of Beauty” As a singer who performed with Vocal Point for four years while a student at BYU, McKay Crockett was certainly qualified to take the helm of the male a capella group in 2012. In fact, the School of Music graduate cites his education and time with the group among his most transformative experiences. “My BYU music education was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and my connection to Vocal Point is the highlight of that musical education,” Crockett said. “Studying music at BYU provided me connections to excellent mentors as well as opportunities for meaningful growth that now allow me to make a living every day.” When asked what he loves most about his position as director of Vocal Point, Crockett was quick to highlight the students in the group. “I absolutely love working with the guys in Vocal Point,” he said. “Having the opportunity to create music with these young, talented, motivated students year after year is one of my greatest joys. Their desire to do good is inspiring.” Crockett highlighted the group’s self-titled album “Vocal Point” — which was released on May 22, 2020 — as just one of the many successes he has had during his time as director. The 12-track album is the group’s first on BYU Records after they cut ties with major label Decca Gold, part of Universal Music Group. “Vocal Point” debuted in the top 30 pop albums on all of iTunes the weekend of its release, which was especially meaningful to Crockett. “The music, the production, the vocals, the energy — it all represents not only a new, fun musical direction for us, but at its core, it also represents the journey Vocal Point has been on the last 29 years,” he said. “For years Vocal Point has tried to show that you can listen to cool, awesome music while still staying locked on your values. That is what our group is all about, and truthfully, there is no better way to describe this album than that sentiment right there.” In addition to the album release, Crockett was recently featured for the BYU Magazine video series, “A Thing of Beauty,” where he discussed the beauty of overtones. “The human voice in particular is rich with overtones,” Crockett said. “The magic of overtones really begins when the singers come together and create a perfectly tuned chord. Each singer is unified in purpose, in tone, in shape, in texture. When the overtones of those voices align, the strength of the overtone is amplified, allowing us to hear something that is not being sung.” Crockett explains that music has much more to it than simply entertainment value. “In its finest form, music is a conduit that gives purpose and unity to individuals, both those listening to the music and those creating it,” Crockett says. “Perhaps overtone alignment symbolizes what can happen in our families, in our communities and even in our world when we bring together our unique voices to create something more than any one of us could.” Learn more about Crockett’s take in the video below.

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Nashville Pop Star Ben Rector Shares Advice, Lessons Learned with Commercial Music Students

admin — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 18:43:40 +0000

Rector encouraged students to pursue musical collaboration regardless of fame or fortune The School of Music invited renowned pop star Ben Rector to lead a masterclass for commercial music students and members of BYU Vocal Point prior to his headline performance at the BYU Homecoming Spectacular. Gathered in the Cougar Room at the north end of the BYU Marriott Center, a group of nearly 30 students had the unique opportunity to participate in an intimate Q&A with the singer-songwriter. In response to student questions, Rector shared details of his self-driven rise to popularity, a journey which included most of the typical challenges of the commercial music industry, such as the struggle to be noticed. Receiving critical attention and acclaim was only the first step in his journey to fame, however. After attaining popularity, Rector faced new challenges, including expanding his skill set not only as an artist, but also as a producer and manager. Rector recounted his evolution from aspiring artist to jack-of-all trades in the realm of pop music and music management. Today his role in developing his art and managing his personal brand has become a task of keeping the “train rolling.” When others are willing to jump on, he welcomes the opportunity to collaborate, but he doesn’t allow the decisions of others to dictate his progress. Read the full story at the School of Music website.

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Ben Rector and Hilary Weeks to headline BYU Spectacular!

admin — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 20:14:58 +0000

Hit-making Nashville-based singer-songwriter Ben Rector will be the featured talent for BYU Spectacular! 2019, along with prolific LDS-Christian crossover artist Hilary Weeks. The headliners will also be joined by Vocal Point, Men’s Chorus, Young Ambassadors, Ballroom Dance Company, Cougarettes, International Folk Dance Ensemble and the BYU Dunk Team as part of BYU Homecoming 2019. BYU Spectacular! offers two performances: Thursday, October 17, and Friday, October 18, 2019 at 7:30 pm. Tickets for the general public go on sale July 15th at BYUtickets.com, with advance ticket sales for BYU alumni and students and BYU ArtsPass holders the week prior. Read more at news.byu.edu

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BYU Vocal Point Finds Success with “The Greatest Showman” Mashup

Sydnee Gonzalez — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 10:00:40 +0000

Last weekend, BYU Vocal Point’s newest music video “The Greatest Showman A Cappella Mashup,” received over 1 million views on the group’s YouTube channel. The video brought together aerial artists, dancers, singers and cinematographers to feature four songs from the movie—“The Greatest Show,” “Come Alive,” “Rewrite the Stars” and “This Is Me.” The video’s views are not the only indicator of success. It received positive feedback across the board, including from one of the film’s main stars, Hugh Jackman, who called the video an “amazing effort” on Twitter. However, the video’s greatest success may actually lie in the behind-the-scenes work that went into creating the video. McKay Crockett, BYU Vocal Point’s artistic director and music producer, said viewers have no idea just how much work and sacrifice went into creating the video from simply watching the final product. From overcoming illness to creating a circus tent to film in, nothing about the making of the video was easy. Step one was creating a collaborative environment for students from various disciplines and areas, including The School of Music, The Department of Theatre and Media Arts, Performing Arts Management, Contemporary Dance Theatre and the BYU Cougarettes. Students not only worked with each other, but also had the opportunity to work with professionals, including filmmakers, BYU Broadcasting staff and circus performers from Aeris Aerial Arts. The next step was filming the video. The four-and-a-half minute video was shot within 12 hours during a single day. The cast and crew were faced with the task of filming three perfect, continuous takes — the longest being over two minutes long—and then editing these together in post-production. Jeff Parkin, director of the video and BYU film professor, said filming under those circumstances “was a high-wire act with a lot of intensity and stress, but created a special energy on screen. The ability to pull off such shots successfully says a great deal about the professional abilities of our BYU students.” According to Crockett, Vocal Point member Jason Bromley (BA ‘20) had one of the most difficult parts in the video. Bromley trained for weeks with former Cirque Du Soleil performer Darla Davis to learn aerial choreography for “Rewrite the Stars.” Bromley stated, “This was by far the most difficult part of the video because it was unlike anything I’ve ever done. It took weeks for my body to acclimate to that kind of strain and I endured some pretty gnarly rope burns. However, it was an amazing experience and one I doubt many other college students get the opportunity to enjoy.” In addition to learning aerial choreography, Bromley had to sing at double the normal tempo while filming “Rewrite the Stars.” This allowed the post-production team to slow down the aerial work later during editing while still matching Bromley’s lips to the normal tempo of the song. Bromley stated perhaps the most amazing part about this minute-long scene is that it was filmed in one continuous take. Difficult filming circumstances were not the only barrier students had to overcome. Vocal Point member Logan Shelton (BA ‘19) was one of many cast members to get sick leading up to filming. “I wasn’t sure if I had the energy to embody the message of the video,” Shelton said. “The whole project ended up being a miracle. Everything just fell right into place. I hope people feel empowered to be their best selves from watching our adaptation.” Crockett said despite various complications, the crew and cast were able to come together to create an unforgettable experiential learning project. “It was really meaningful to see all the energy on set and all the sacrifice that went into making the video,” Crockett said. “The final video is a real testament to how great BYU is.” This BYU Records production and its success was made possible with the help of various faculty and staff across campus, including Ben Fales (executive producer), Jared Cardon (producer), Jodi Maxfield (BYU Cougarettes director) and Jenny Tingey (choreographer).

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BYU Vocal Point performs in the de Jong Concert Hall, Jan 9

Riley Oliphant — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 17:37:23 +0000

Vocal Point, Brigham Young University’s popular nine-man pop a cappella group, will perform on Saturday, Jan. 9, at 7:30 p.m., in the de Jong Concert Hall. Tickets are $12, with discounts available for alumni, students, employees, senior citizens and groups. Tickets can be purchased in person at the BYU Ticket Office in the Harris Fine Arts Center or Marriott Center, by phone at 801-422-2981 or online at byuarts.com. BYU Vocal Point was founded in the tradition of college glee clubs, but the group propels a cappella music far beyond its traditional bounds. Chosen through an extensive audition process, the nine members of Vocal Point combine rich vocal talent with clever arrangements and staging in an electrifying concert program. Vocal Point has established itself as one of the most popular singing groups on campus. It has also won a strong following from its performances and workshops throughout the western United States. The concert will feature new songs, but will still have the same high caliber of entertainment and skill that has made Vocal Point a favorite. Directed by McKay Crockett, the program will include new arrangements of “Get Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon, and their mash up “Drag Me Down / As Long as You Love Me” from One Direction and Justin Bieber as well as a collection of crowd favorites including “Feeling Good” by Michael Bublé. The nine-man singing group has been performing for more than 20 years since its start by two students who got the BYU Music Department to adopt them into their program. Their popularity has grown in recent years, due to their appearance the NBC show “The Sing-Off” and their use of new media and videos on YouTube. Tickets and Show Details Performance Dates and Times: Sat., Jan. 9 at 7:30 p.m. Location: de Jong Concert Hall, Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU Price: $12 (discounts for senior citizens, BYU students, groups and alumni) Tickets: Available in person at the BYU Ticket Office in the Harris Fine Arts Center or Marriott Center, by phone at 801-422-2981 or online at byuarts.com

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Vocal Point Beat Boxer/Vocal Percussionist Audition

admin — Mon, 04 Jan 2016 22:26:15 +0000

Vocal Point is seeking a hard-working, qualified student to join the group as the beat boxer/vocal percussionist. If accepted, you would begin immediately. Auditions will take place on Wednesday, January 6, from 1:30-3:30 pm in HFAC C130 (de Jong Green Room). To audition, go to the link below and click “sign up” next to your desired time. You will be asked to enter your name, email, and cell phone number (you do not need to sign up for an account). ONLINE SIGN UP SHEET: http://goo.gl/6Ja1rC On audition day, please arrive 15 minutes early to fill out an audition form. We will audition two people every 10 minutes. Come warmed up and prepared with: 1. 30-second beat box solo (show us what you’ve got!) 2. the ability to show grooves from different styles and genres (rock, jazz, pop, etc.) 3. 30-second vocal solo in any contemporary style (no musical theater) Those wishing to audition must be full-time BYU students as of January 2016. Any questions can be directed to vocalpoint@byu.edu.

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BYU performing groups take the stage in SLC with BYU Winterfest 2016

admin — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 18:17:34 +0000

Experience the wonder and splendor of music and dance as internationally acclaimed Brigham Young University performing groups take the stage in Salt Lake City with BYU Winterfest 2016. Over the course of several weekends the Contemporary Dance Theatre, Vocal Point, Noteworthy, International Folk Dance Ensemble, Living Legends, and Ballroom Dance Company will dazzle audiences with performances showcasing a variety of artistic tastes. BYU Winterfest 2016 provides entertainment for audiences of all ages. As part of Temple Square Performances, Winterfest concerts will be held in the Conference Center Theater. Read more >>>>

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BYU Vocal Point releases its latest music video and its A ca–Awesome!

admin — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 21:22:00 +0000

Brigham Young University’s Vocal Point released a new song this week. “Drag Me Down+As Long As You Love Me MASHUP” was released first on their YouTube channel at https://goo.gl/R0Z53i. “It’s unlike anything we’ve put out before. There’s still a great message in the songs, but we’re presenting it with a ‘touch’ more of an edge.” says a VocalPoint member, Cody Phillips, and “Drag Me Down+As Long As You Love Me” concept creator. The song is honoring Justin Bieber’s Purpose and One Direction’s Made in the A.M. new albums release on Nov. 13, 2015. “Since Justin Bieber and One Direction are releasing new albums on the same day, we thought it would be a cool tribute to do a mashup with songs from the artists and release it in the same week,” says Vocal Point’s director, Mckay Crockett. Founded in 1991, Vocal Point has been sharing their talent through enlightened, energetic and elaborate performances. They enjoy reaching out and collaborating with others, such as The All-American Boys Choir for their “Homebound” music video and they have also recorded with the 300-voice BYU Men’s Chorus. Vocal Point just released their first Christmas album He is Born, which is available on iTunes at https://goo.gl/HeGbcZ. For more information about Vocal Point, follow them on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram @VocalPoint, or visit their website at http://www.byuvocalpoint.com/. Vocal Point is managed by BYU Performing Arts Management.

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BYU a cappella group releases first Christmas CD

Hailey Stevens — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 16:53:17 +0000

Brigham Young University’s nine-man a cappella group, BYU Vocal Point, will be releasing an album dedicated to Christmas songs on Friday, Oct. 9 during the BYU homecoming festivities. Members of Vocal Point will be at the BYU Store for CD signings from 2-3 p.m. that day. The album, He Is Born, features eleven songs including contemporary classics such as “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” and “Sleigh Ride” as well as religious favorites like “Silent Night” and “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly.” He Is Born producer and Vocal Point director, McKay Crockett says the group has thought about doing a Christmas album for the past several years. “This long-awaited album has been crafted to aid in commemorating the most nostalgic and meaningful aspects of the Christmas season,” Crockett said. BYU Records general manager Ben Fales says the release of this album will mark the widest release ever of a BYU album. “Not only will He Is Born be available at iTunes, Amazon.com and Deseret Book like many of our other titles, at the end of October it will also be available in Barnes & Noble stores across the United States, which we are very excited about.” The CD also features special guests BYU Noteworthy, nationally acclaimed One Voice Children’s Choir, and powerhouse vocalists Ryan Innes and Elisha Garrett. BYU Vocal Point has performed in front of millions on NBC’s The Sing-Off, on YouTube and in concerts around the United States.

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